In the News: two articles on alternatives for gas tax and infrastructure revenues

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Just think about it: congestion pricing, managed lanes, tolling on routes other than just the Massachusetts Turnpike, money drawn from drivers being invested back into public transit, and a transportation system that could adapt to meet future needs.

That’s what most of a coalition of business groups supports asking the Legislature to tell the smartest minds in the state: start thinking seriously about the options for reducing congestion on roads, improving accessibility and service on public transportation, limiting greenhouse gas emissions and raising the money to pay for it in a fair and geographically-equitable way.

But in the meantime, get to raising the revenue necessary to take care of immediate needs - like structurally deficient bridges and poor roadway conditions - by taxing customers a little more for gasoline and increasing the fee built into ride service fares, much of the Massachusetts Business Coalition on Transportation agrees.

The consensus ranges from agreement among all but one group that the state needs additional revenue for transportation to very narrow majority support for specific approaches to raising that revenue. It came as the result of months of talks among the statewide group of chambers of commerce, research and planning firms, and industry associations."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191102/biz-groups-support-gas-tax-rideshare-fee-increases

"Members of a powerful advocacy coalition are mounting an effort to include business tax measures in a revenue package designed to bankroll transportation investments, saying proposals that add to the costs of gasoline and tolls are too regressive and will only put a heavier burden on low-income and middle class residents.

House leaders are assembling a revenue plan for debate sometime in the next three weeks, but have not unveiled any specific revenue-raising proposals.

In a letter to supporters, Raise Up Massachusetts officials argued that any revenue package should include proposals to create a tiered corporate minimum tax, address offshore tax shelters used by businesses, and require businesses to publicly disclose their tax burdens. The group, which estimates its ideas would generate at least $250 million, says businesses need to kick in contributions toward needed investments."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191102/coalition-seeks-new-biz-taxes-to-fund-transportation

FPS Visual Arts Newsletter - Nov 2019

The FPS Visual Arts Newsletter can be found here http://bit.ly/2Nm20l0

Check out all the amazing and creative work and events happening in Franklin Schools! #create #artsmatter #FantasticFPS @FPS_FAA
@FranklinPSart

FPS Visual Arts Newsletter

Shared from Twitter https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1189237696583077888

Remember to turn your clocks back one hour

Daylight savings time starts today

Remember to turn your clocks back one hour

Shared from
http://swanriver.valleybiz.ca/news/2019/11/02/fall-back-daylight-savings-ends-november-3-2019/

Daylight savings info from wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time_in_the_United_States

Franklin in Focus: Candidate Query (video)

The Candidate Query hosted by Franklin in Focus on Tuesday, Oct 22, 2019 at the Franklin Senior Center. 

Recorded and edited by Franklin TV. 

Candidates for Constable, Town Council, and School Committee in the Town of Franklin biennial election were invited to participate.





The audio or podcast version is also available
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/10/franklin-in-focus-candidate-query-oct.html

Franklin Candidate Interview: Mary Jane Scofield

This interview with Mary Jane Scofield, candidate for Franklin School Committee in 2019, was collaborated on via email. We reviewed the following questions, some of them were ‘crowd sourced.’ Some of you may remember the call for input solicited in August 2019 for this election. Thank you for your contributions.

Hopefully, the information provided here, and in the other interviews, will enable the Franklin voters to make a good choice among the candidates for each position.

For the following FM presents the question. MJS represents Mart Jane’s response.

FM = There are and have been many opportunities to volunteer with community groups in Franklin. Have you taken advantage of any of these? Which ones, and why did you choose that/those? 

MJS = When I arrived in Franklin in 1989 I started out by attending PCC meetings at Horace Mann when Mr. Colace was the Principal. The people that I met were fabulous! This led to participating in activities at Oak Street, when it occupied a couple of wings at FHS. When redistricting took place, I and others took ourselves to Davis-Thayer, back to Horace Mann, and FHS for the second or third time for many of us. Through the years I’ve participated in Scouts, taught CCD, and helped with the Fourth of July. 

I participated in the activities of the Franklin Youth Soccer Association, being on the Board of Directors for many years, serving as President for two. With FYSA I coached many teams, from Instructional to Travel, most years without having a child on a team. It was heartbreaking to me a couple of years when I couldn’t coach due to personal circumstances. However, I continue to volunteer my time to be involved with soccer by being the Secretary of the BAYS (Boston Area Youth Soccer) Board of Directors. There is nothing like taking part in any organization that promotes the sport, and the building of relationships that may last forever. 

In 1997 I was elected to the School Committee, and for ten years I was the Chair of the Policy Subcommittee, served on several contract negotiation teams, and was the School Committee representative to the Keller-Sullivan Building Committee. I also had the opportunity to be a member of the Mass Association of School Committees (MASC) Student Assessment Committee, Athletic Advisory Committee, Game Officials Committee, and the MIAA State Soccer Committee.

FM = Where do you get your news about Franklin?

MJS = Franklin Matters, of course! The Gazette is a must read each week. The Milford Daily News could do a better job of reporting what goes on in town. Email alerts from the Town are also helpful.

FM = The possibility of a change in school start times was a recent controversial topic taken up by the School Committee. Where do you stand on the issue of school start times in Franklin and what actions do you plan to take around this issue during the next term of the School Committee?

MJS = I was a member of the School Start Time Advisory Committee, and was one of two that voted against sending the final proposal to the School Committee. While it appears that the research shows that a later start time would be beneficial for MS/HS students, there wasn’t much consideration for the elementary students. I think that the decision to pause on implementation is the right way to go.

FM = While the current School Committee has attempted to reach the community through various forms of communication including coffee chats, email newsletters, attending events such as the farmers market, etc., they have been generally unsuccessful at increasing the engagement with important issues related to the schools. What actions will you take to increase citizen engagement with the School Committee?

MJS = I wouldn’t say that the methods of communication have been unsuccessful. These methods didn’t exist a few years ago. As volunteers, School Committee members have demonstrated that they are available to the public at events in town. The events were well publicized, and it’s unfortunate that some see the lack of participation by citizens as a failure. I would encourage School Committee members to continue to participate in local events, and schedule educational events related to topics of high interest/concern. I commend the School Committee for their efforts thus far.

FM = The Town Administrator has suggested that the School Committee investigate the possibility of closing Davis Thayer Elementary as a possible cost-saving mechanism for the town in these tight economic times. Where do you stand on this issue and what actions will you take to support your stance?

MJS = The independent study that was authorized by the School Committee, and funded by the Town is the right thing to do. This is not a new topic. When the study is complete the School Committee will have to make a tough decision, with input from all stakeholders.

FM = Why should I vote for you?

For the past four years it has truly been an honor to serve the citizens of Franklin. My stepchildren and my son are beneficiaries of an excellent educational system. It is my hope to continue to serve on the School Committee to ensure that all students leave the system with the foundation to be curious, confident, and productive citizens. 

Find the election and candidate information gathered in one place on the Election Collection
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html

 

Franklin Candidate Interview: Mary Jane Scofield

FHS football win 14-0, advance in playoffs to play Brockton

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the recap for the FHS football win over Attleboro 14-0 on Friday.

"Franklin has made a name for itself this season with a high-powered offense that is capable of a big play at any time, but in Friday’s Div. 1 South quarterfinal at Pisini Stadium the Panthers showed that there is another side to their game as well.

The Franklin defense only allowed Attleboro to cross midfield once all night, allowing the Panthers to grind out a 14-0 victory on a pair of second half touchdowns and book a second straight appearance in the sectional semifinal.

“What I told the kids at halftime is this is going to be a character test,” said Franklin coach Eian Bain. “We’re going to define out character right here and you have to win these types of games this time of year.”

He added, “We needed to call a better game and get our guys in better positions, but I think once we went into the half we felt more comfortable with what they were in so we felt better about the calls we were making and had a better idea of how to attack them.”

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-football-defense-grinds-out-win-against-attleboro/

For a photo gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Fall-2019/Franklin-Attleboro-Football-11-1-19/

Jake Davis (23) and the Franklin offense struggled to get going against Attleboro but managed to score twice in the second half to secure a 14-0 win. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

The MIAA football bracket info  http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=5348

MIAA - D1 South football bracket

FHS soccer teams slated to play first round games away on Monday, Nov 4

D1 South
#9 Franklin (12-4-1) will travel to #8 Oliver Ames (13-4-1) Monday, 11/4 at 2:30 PM

D1 South
#11 Franklin (8-6-4) will travel to #6 Natick (8-2-6) Monday, 11/4 at 3:45 PM


For other seeds posted by HockomockSports.com:

• Girls

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-girls-soccer-playoff-seeds-matchups-2019/

• Boys

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-boys-soccer-playoff-seeds-matchups-2019/


For the MIAA bracket 

for girls D1 South  http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=5413

for boys D1 South  http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=5412
 

D1 South Boys Fall 2019

D1 South Girls Fall 2019